THE traces of destruction in typhoon-hit areas compelled the Department of Education (DepEd) to defer the opening of classes in public schools.
According to Education Secretary Sonny Angara, two days won’t be enough to fix, clean and restore public schools, some of which were reportedly flooded and damaged by super typhoon Carina.
“Some schools will really have to postpone their openings kasi maraming aayusin at lilinisin,” reads part of his statement.
He however took exemption on schools with minimal damage which Angara said will join the official opening of classes.
“Hindi namin pipilitin yung mga nasalanta talaga at mahihirapan sa school opening ng Lunes,” the DepEd chief added. He however has yet to identify which of the thousands of affected public schools would have to defer the class opening supposedly slated on July 29.
Previous reports hinted at 90 schools in nine regions including Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas as affected with an estimated damage to infrastructure pegged at P630 million.
There are also 324 schools that are also being used as evacuation centers in six regions.
As this developed, Angara signed DepEd Memorandum Order No. 4, series of 2024 to ensure accessible loan facilities for affected teachers and non-teaching personnel who may avail P100,000 multi-purpose loan and P200,000 for extreme emergency loans through their provident fund. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
